As I have stated earlier, I think one of our main concerns in leaving Iraq is that we not leave the country in a position to be taken over by Extreme Islamic Fundamentalists who then use the power of the Nation State against us. This article addresses that concern.

Zbigniew Brzezinski: "It is also important to recognize that most of the anti-U.S. insurgency in Iraq has not been inspired by al-Qaeda. Locally based jihadist groups have gained strength only insofar as they have been able to identify themselves with the fight against a hated foreign occupier. As the occupation winds down and Iraqis take responsibility for internal security, al-Qaeda in Iraq will be left more isolated and less able to sustain itself. The end of the occupation will thus be a boon for the war on al-Qaeda, bringing to an end a misguided adventure that not only precipitated the appearance of al-Qaeda in Iraq but also diverted the United States from Afghanistan, where the original al-Qaeda threat grew and still persists."

You will also find in this article a link to another article with a countering point of view.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/27/AR2008032702405.html?hpid%3Dopinionsbox1&sub=AR